Fabric repairing apparatus



Aug. 11,1931. A. L. DE LEEUW 1,318,696

FABRIC RBFAIH'ING APPARATUS Filed Feb. 16, 1929 4 Sheets-Sheet l Aug. 11, 1931. .A..L. DE LEE UW- FABRIC REPAIRING APPARATUS Filed Feb. 16, 1929 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 AugQll, 1931. A. L. DE LEEUW 1,318,696

- I FABRIC REPAIRING APPARATUS Fi led Feb. 16, 1929 4 She ets-She et 4 avwemtoz fabric in inactive position.

Patented Aug. 11, 1931 UNITED STATE-S PATENT om n j ADOLPI-I L. DEFLEEUW, OF'PLAINEIEILD, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR TO GOT'H'AM. KNITBAC MACHINE CORPORATION, or NEW YORK. N. Y., A CORPORATION or DELAWARE Y V FABRIC REPAIRING- APPARATUS Application filed February 16, 1929. Serial No. 340 ,488.

This invention relates to apparatus for repairing fabrics, and more particularly for repairing runs, ravels, dropped stitches, and the like in knitted goods, such as hosiery,

5 underwear, and similar articles.

An object of the invention is to provide an apparatus for repairing fabrics which is simple in structure, economical to manufacture, and efficient in operation.

A further object of the invention is to pro vide an apparatus of the nature referred to which is strong, rugged, and durable and which eliminates many parts heretofore employed in machines of this nature.

' A further object of the invention is to provide means in a machine of the character referred to for securing and maintaining a proper proportionate relation of pressures of the 'devices concerned in maintaining the 7 position while the apparatus is in operation.

vide means for adjusting the initial position ofthe needle carrying'bar whenin its normaf A further object of the invention is to provide an improved structure foroperating the needlecarrying member, in order to simplify such structure and to automatically compensate for any deviation in the line of movement 45 more fully hereinafter. V

r" at of the connections employed for operating the needle carrying'bar in'securing a rectif' linearmovement of said bar.

v A further object of the invention is to simplify and improve the structure of feed mechanism employed for advancing therwork' during the operation ofthe'apparatus, and to render the same strong and durable.

A further object of the invention is to pro vide an actuating mechanism for the work feeding devices which is simple and efficient and which avoids variations produced by arcuate movement of parts of the mechanism. Other objects of the invention will appear The invention consists substantially in the construction, combination, location and. relative arrangement of parts, all as will be more f illyhereinafter described, as illug'." trated in the accompanying drawings, and

A further object ofthe invention isto profinally pointed out in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings Figure 1 is a view in side elevation, parts in vertical longitudinal section, of astructure'of fabric repairing apparatus embodying and containing features of my invention Fig. 2 is a View in section on the line,

2-2, Fig. 1, looking in the directionof the arrows;

Fig. 3 is a broken detail view in'section on the line 33, Fig.1, looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 4 is a broken detail View inside e1e-* vation, partlyin vertical section, showing the relation of the needle and its supporting bar and associated presser'devices; i

Fig. 5 is a broken detail view in section' on the line 55, Fig. 4, looking in thedirection' of the arrows; i 5

Fig. 6 is a view in horizontal section on the line 66, Fig. 1, looking in the direction of the arrows; I v Y Y 3 r.

Fig. 7 is a broken detail view in section on the line 77, Fig. 1, lookingin the direction of the arrows, but including the bearings of the main drive shaft ofthe machine Fig. 8 is a broken detail view, parts in section, illustratinga structureof ratchet feed} mechanism embodyingfthe principles ofiny invention for actuating the" workfeedingde vices; v 7

Fig.9'is a broken detail view illustrating th'erelation of the feed' actuating pawls and their associated ratchets;- Fig. 10 is a' detail view in section on the line 1010, Fig. 1, looking in the direction of the arrows; v

Fig. 11 is a broken detail-view in horizontal section through the fulcrum mounting of the v} v structure shown in Fig. 13. The same part'is designated by the same reference numeral wherever it occurs throughout the several views.

In the application of Leavin and Leavin, Serial No 248,806, filed January 23, 1928, patented April 9, 1929, as No. 1,7 08,67 5, and the application of Raymond L. Plumley, Serial No. 296,968, filed August 2, 1928, patented April 9, 1929, as No. 1,708,681, there are shown, described, and claimed structures of apparatus for repairing fabrics, particularly designed for use in repairing runs, dropped stitches, and the like in knitted fabrics. The present invention relates generally to apparatus of this type, and is designed to improve the structures of the Leavin and Plumley machines in various particulars, for the purpose of simplifying said structures, rendering them more sturdy and rugged and eflicient in operation, and to avoid the necessity for readjusting various parts to adapt the machine for operation on fabrics of relatively different mesh.

Generally stated, machines of this class comprise a suitable stand or frame indicated at 15 having laterally extending arms 16, 17. The arm 16 carries the needle bar and presser devices, and also the lever by means of which the needle bar is actuated, while the arm 17 carries the fabric or work feeding and thread spacing devices, as well as the actuating lever therefor. The actuating levers for the needle bar and the work feeding devices, are operated from a main drive shaft which is journaled in the main frame of the machine. In general, these are features common to the Leavin and Plumley machines.

One feature of improvement contemplated by myinvention to which I will refer, relates to the structure, mounting, connections and operation of the lever through which the needle bar is operated.

Suitably journaled in the frame of the machine, preferably, though not necessarily in anti-friction bearings 18, is the main power shaft 19. This shaft is adapted to receive ower from any suitable or desired source. Upon shaft 19 is mounted an eccentric member 20, which is engaged by a strap 21, having an arm to which is pivotally attached one end of a needle bar actuating lever 22. The needle bar 23, is mounted at the free or head end of the frame arm 16, to slide rectilinearly in bearings therefor. The needle 2 1is mounted in any suitable or convenient manner upor. the needle bar 23. The needle bar is formed with a squared or planed portion 25, see Fig. 6, having oppositely presenting tapering seats 26 formed in the opposite faces thereof. The forward end of the lever 22 is forked to straddle the squared or planed portion of the needle bar 23, the two arms of the fork each carrying a center plug 27 having a tapered end which fits into the tapered seat in the adjacent surface of the needle bar. This structure affords a connection between the needle bar and its actuating lever which permits a relative rocking movement of the lever with respect to the needle bar, while at the same time avoiding the necessity of a close fit between these parts. This enables the various parts to be readily and easily as sembled, or disassembled, and avoids expensive machining operations to secure accuracy in the manufacture of the individual parts, thereby greatly reducing the cost of construction, while at the same time -securing easy and smooth operation of the machine in use.

In the structure shown as an exemplification of my invention the needle bar 23, in operation, is caused to move longitudinally and in a straight line, being so compelled by the alined bearings through which it slides. In this structure when the needle bar actuating lever 22 is rocked by the eccentric and strap connections thereto, the end thereof which is connected to the needle bar 23 must likewise move in a straight line, with the needle bar. This requires that the end of said lever which is connected to the eccentric strap shall move in an arcuate path when the machine is in operation. This arcuate movement is permitted by the journaling of the strap upon the eccentric, and the pivotal connection of the lever end with the strap arm.

By reason of the fact that one end of the l needle bar operating lever must move in a straight line with the needle bar while the other end of said lever describes an arcuate movement in operation, the fulcrum point of saidlever cannot be stationary but must be permitted to shift. To accomplish this I provide a fulcrum structure for the needle bar operating lever which will permit an endwise or longitudinal movement of the lever relatively to its fulcrum, thereby causing the fulcrum point of the lever to shift during the rocking movements of the lever. One means for accomplishing this result is shown wherein the lever 22 is provided with an elongated slot 28, in which is received a block, which, in the form shown, and for convenience in assembling, consists of two oppositely disposed sleeves 29, see Figs. 1 and 6, mounted upon the portion 30 of a stud shaft 31 which is rotatively mounted in bearin s in the arm 16 of the frame.

TEy this arrangement it will be seen that the lever 22 is permitted not only its needle bar operating rocking movement but also longitudinal shifting movement necessitated by the fact that one of its ends is required to move in a straight line while its other end moves in an arc. The arrangement described also permits the rocking movement of the lever, as the fulcrum block 28, may swivel on the portion 30 of the supporting shaft 31.

In the use of a machine of the class to which my invent-ion relates it is customary to move the needle and its supporting bar to a position beyond the limit of its reciprocatory llU . sioning'and feed of thework, and the desired cred as the case may be, thereby rocking lever 22'about its point of hinge connection withthe arm of strap 21, and hence correspondingly raising and lowering the needle bar 23. The stud shaft may be rotatively displaced in any suitable or convenient way.

In the arrangement shown a crank arm' 32, see Fig. 13, onthe projecting end of the stud shaft, is provided for this purpose. By r0- tating the stud shaft through 180, from its normal position when the machine is in operation, the needle bar is raised sufficiently to permit the work to be properly positioned in place in the machine. By restoring said stud shaft to its initial position theneedle bar is returned toits normal working position; a

In machines of the nature and class to which the present invention relates, it is customary toemploy presser devices designed and arranged to press and hold the work under the desired tension, while the repair operation is being performed, and while the feedof the work is being accomplished. Such presser devices may be of any suitable or desired structure,and they'are positioned above the head or saddle over which the'work is placed and fedwhile being repaired. They are-also mounted in such relation to the needle and the work feeding and thread spacing devices as to co'-operate therewith to efliciently' retain and hold the work in position, a

and toassist in maintaining the desired tenspacing apart ofthesuccessive threads which cross the run to be repaired, to enable the repairing operations to be carried out success- 50" fully, rapidly and neatly. 7

In accordance with my inventionI provide apress'er device structure which is simple and efficient and which, in the illustrative form shown, consists of a spring presser" v foot 33-,

and, in ad'dition, one or more presser rolls 34.

The presser foot 33'consists of spring arms which, respectively, extend, at the free ends thereof, to points closely adjacent but on opposite sides of the point where the needle acts upon the work in effecting the'repair. The

function of these spring presser-arms is to press the work flatwise upon'the saddle and upon the spacing and feeding devices, and under suitable but'yielding tension, at the. point of action of the needle. The presser roll, or: rolls 34". are disposed beyond the presser feet and=are designed to press and hold the work in efficient. engagement with the surface 'of therf-eeding andspacing devices. In the drawings I have: shown two presser rolls, or a single roll having two cylindrical portions, seeFig. 2, the peripheral surface ofwhichis serrated to more efficiently cooperate with the serrated surface of the fabric: or work feeding devices 35.

It is important thatboth of the presser rollportions 34 bear upon the work with the same degree of pressure. It is likewise important that both of the arms of the spring presser'foot 33, bearupon the work with the same degree of pressure and that the pressure of the presser foot with relation to thatofthe'pres'serroll be maintained at a substantially uniform ratio. these requirements will be understood when it is realized that a slight unevenness in the goods, such, for example, as a little knot or kink in the surfaceof the fabric passing beneath' the presser foot, or one or the other arms thereof, or beneath the presserv roll, might disturb the evenness of the feed of the fabric or work, or the proper and regular spacing apart of the threads across the runto be repaired, thereby impairing'the'neatness of or creating-a fault in the repair being made. This same difliculty is likewise liable The importance of a to occur where each of the two arms of the" spring presser foot is separately mounted and independently adjustable as to the pressure which it exerts; lnsuch case, the proper equalizatio'npf the pressures of the two spring armsisdependentupon the accuracy with which the operator, often unskilled, is able to adjust each of the two arms. To obviate these and other difficulties, and to greatly simplify the mechanical structure, and to eliminate unnecessary parts, I propose, in accordance with my invention, to employ a single presser bar 36,which, in the arrangement shown, is mounted to slide in the head end of the arm 16 of the framework, adjacent to and parallel with the needle bar." The presser bar 36 may be'prevented from turning axially in its bearings inthe head of arm 16.- This may be accomplishedin any convenient manner, as, for example, by means" of a key 37. An adjustable spring tension is imposed upon the presser bar in various ways T to yieldingly press the presser roll and presser foot to their respective engagements with the fabric or work. This tension is secured in the present instance, by means of a coiled spring 1 38, interposed between a "shoulder 39 on the lower end of thepresser bar, for sli htrocking movement relatively thereto. simple arrangement is shown wherein the lower end of the presser bar is slotted, as indicated at 41, and a portion ofthe block 42 extends into the slot and is held therein by the pivot pin The extent of the rocking movement of block 42 is determined by the clearance between the same and the bottom of the slot 41. Of course, it is to be understood that many other expedients may be equally suitable for this purpose. Pivotally mounted upon the block 42 is another member 44, by means of a pivot pin 45. The axis of the pivot pin 45 is in right angular relation with respect to that of the pivot pin 43. The member 44 has a seat 46 in which is received and pivotally supported the end portion of the spring presser foot, a suliicient clearance being provided in the seat to permit slight angular rocking motion of the presser foot upon its pivot pin 47. An arm 48 of member 44 carries the presser roll 34.

From this description it will be seen that the block .or member 44 forms a support for the presser foot and also for the presser roll. Also, that not only has the block or member 44 a rocking movement in two directions at right angles to each other, because of the relation of the pivot pins 43 and 45, but the presser foot has a slight independent side rocking movement with relation to block 44 upon its own pivot 47 It will also be seen that according to the relative distances of the presser roll 34, and of the work engaging portions of the arms of the presser foot, from the longitudinal center line of their common supporting bar 36, there is maintained a substantially constant proportional pressure of said roll and presser foot upon the fabric or work, and this proportional relation is not altered or changed by the adjustment of the presser bar itself. It will also be seen that the structure described provides for the proper distribution of the pres sures exerted by the roll and the presser foot, while at the same time ensuring that both parts of the presser roll as well as both arms of the presser foot, press evenly against the goods or fabric.

Inpositioning the fabric or work to berepaired in the machine it is necessary to re move the presser roll and presser root, as Well as the needle out of the way. I have already described means for raising the needle bar. The presser bar may, in like manner, be raised out of the way, to permit the work to be placed in position to be operated, and this can be accomplished in various ways, either by hand or foot. In Figs. 13 and 14 I have shown a lever 49, pivotally mounted on the arm 16 of the frame and having its free end engaged beneath a pin 50 carried by the presser bar 36. By rocking the free endof said lever upwardly thepresserbar, carrying the presser roll and presser foot is raised sufiiciently to permit the work to be' placed in position in the machine. The lever 49 maybe rocked by foot treadle (not shown) or by a hand lever 51, having a pin 52, engaging beneath said lever 49.

In the practical operation of machines of this class it is exceedingly important that the feed of the work be accomplished smoothly and evenly and in the proper timed relation with respect to the operation of the needle. It is equally important that the threads which cross the run to be repaired be efli-- ciently spaced apart from each other to en sure the needle successively operating upon each-succeeding cross thread of the run in making the repair. The extreme accuracy required in these operations has heretofore necessitated the employment of delicate parts which requirethe utmost care in their manufacture, and in the assembly thereof, and which, by reason of their delicate nature lack sturdiness and strength, and are liable to wear rapidly and to break and thereby requiring frequent renewals and repairs.

Commonly, such structures have heretofore required the use of a pair of main feed rolls for the work which are rotatively actuated one space at a time by means of a ratchet wheel disposed between them. The spacing apart of the main feed rolls is limited by the fineness or coarseness of the weave or mesh of the fabric or work. In practice the required spacing referred to ranges from thirty nine one-thousandths of an inch down to thirty three one-thousandths, according small, thereby making each tooth not only very narrow and weak, but the spacing between the teeth very fine. In operation the needle frequently produces a certain amount of very, fine lint which often drops into the space between the'feed rolls and fills the teeth of the ratchet wheel, thereby interfering with the proper engagement therewith of the operating pawls and causin trouble. It is among the special purpose of my present invention to provide a structure of feed mechanism which obviates these and other objections, and whereby a strong durable and rugged structure is produced.

In carrying out my invention, in one practical embodiment thereof, I employ two ratchet wheel 53, placed respectively at the outer sides of the two feed rolls 35, see Fig.

12. By so placing the ratchet Wheels I am not prescribed as to their thickness, and, consequently, they may be constructed of substantial thickness to make them strong and sturdyin use. Instead of providing each ratchet wheel with the number of teeth which would be requiredif only one such ratchet wheel is employed, I form each one with only one-half such number of teeth. 1 am thus enabled to make'the spacing between the teeth twice as great, and to construct such teeth of substantialproportions and size as to render them strong and sturdy. While the two ratchet wheels are provided with the same number of teeth, they are, however, mounted in rotatively displaced relation 1 with respect to each other a distanceof' substantially one-half the space between two adjacent teeth, as clearly shown in Fig. 9.

Cooperating with eachratchet is a pawl These pawls are of the same length and they advance to their work simultaneously and for the samelength of stroke. Byreason of the displaced relation of the two ratchets only one pawl is acting on one forward stroke, the other pawl acting on the next succeeding forward stroke. On each return stroke the pawl which was idle on the forward stroke snaps behind a tooth on its associated ratchet ready to carry on the rotative feedmovement of the feed wheels on the next forward stroke. To ensure this action the strokes of the pawls shouldbe slightly greater in length than one half of the space between two adjacent ratchi et teeth but less than one full space.

quarter of a revolution of the mainshaftto secure the timing-operations necessary in the operation of the machine. Consequently,

the movement of the pawls is twicegas great as can be usefully employed. 1 v

In order to avoid this useless movement,

which weuld'destroy the proper timing of the feed, I dispense with the eccentricyand in place thereof mount a disk member 56, on the main drive shaftl9, in one face of which is formed'a cam groove 57,-see Figs. 3, 6 and 7 in which groove works a roller 58,-carried by an arm 59. To the free end of this arm is pivotally connected one end of a lever 60. The arm 59 straddles the main shaft 19, and hence is held against rocking movement, while being operated in a rectilinear longitudinal direction. The cam groove 57 is-so shaped that during one-quarter ofthe revolution of the main shaft 19, the lever 60 is additional safeguard againstback' lashor the working backwards of the .feedrolls while the needle is performing itsv work. The :free end of. lever 60 is pivotally connected toone arm of a bellcrank lever 61, to the other arm ofwhich the two pawls 55 are pivoted. The rocking motions imparted to the bell crank 61, by the lever 60, causes the required forwardv and backward movement of: the pawls to effect the actuation of the feed rolls. The bell crank lever .61 is pivoted upon a stud 62, mounted-in the .arm 17 of the frame, and pivotally mounted on the same studlare the retaining pawls 63, which coact with the ratchet wheels 53 to prevent retrograde movement thereof. A spring 64 in-terposedubctween the retaining pawls and .aneXtens-ion of the ratchet'pawls, see Fig; 8,*holds theze ngaging ends of said pawls in engagement with the teeth of the ratchet wheels.

The spacing apart of the threa'ds which cross the run in a fabricor article to be =repaired is accomplished by means of spacer disks 65, having peripheral'teethv which-cengage the successive run crossing-threads and uniformly space them apart to enablethe needle topass between the successively adjacent threads in the performanceof its work of forming a loop in each succeedingzth-read and interengaging the successive loops. These spacing disks are assembled withvthe feed rolls 35 and ratchet wh'eels 53- into a compact unitary structure, all these parts being mounted on the same .supporting rod 66, which is mounted'in thesideportions of framearm 17,-see Fig. 12, and are secured to gether by the bolts 67. The. spacer disks 65 are disposed at the inner faces of the feed wheels 35, and are spaced apart .fromeach other my means of an interposed plate 6810f reduced diameter to. permit the needle. to.- be

projected into the space between the-spacer disks A simple compact andeflicient assembly of the work feeding andspaeing-unit is secured-by providing the spacer members- 65 with hub extensions 78, upon which the. feeding members 35,,are mounted, theratchet members 53, as aboveexplained,.lying against theouter faces ofthe feedingmembers. This makes: a very strong, durable, sturdy-and compact unit assembly.

. In practice the mesh or weave. of fabrics which are to be repaired vary, that is, some fabrics are of finer mesh or weavethan others. To illustrate, some fabrics have a; fine.

'meshof, say, 280, thatisithasQSOthreads perl lli oileng mh le Others have se erest mesh, of say, 248. This means that in the one case the spacer disks should have 280 peripheral spacing teeth, while in the other only 248 are required. While it is not essential that the number of spacing teeth on the spacer disks shall correspond accurately with the mesh of the fabric to be repaired, nevertheless, it is not practical nor desirable to employ the same spacing disks, or spacing disks having the same number of spacing teeth, or the same feeding ratchets, or ratchets having the same number of teeth for all the various grades of mesh which occur. It is, therefore, necessary to so construct the feed unit assemblies that they may be read ily and easily removed and replaced by another to accord approximately with the mesh of a different fabric to be repaired. WVhile the removal and replacement of feed head assemblies has been proposed heretofore, various difficulties have been encountered by reason of the necessity for various adjustments of the parts and retiming of the same so as to coordinate properly the substituted head with other parts of the mechanism. Where such replacement is made by unskilled operators the failure to make the proper timing and other coordinating adjustments invites trouble. The principal coordination required, in replacing a feed head is that of the length of stroke of the pawls 55, it being understood, of course, that there is correspondence between the number of ratchet teeth and the number of spacer teeth for any given mesh of fabric. Take, for example, the same illustration as that given above, where a fabric having a 280 mesh is first repaired and then one having a 248 mesh is to be re-5 paired on the same machine. In that case two different heads will be used, namely, one with provision for 280 spaces for the finer mesh fabric, and then this one replaced with another head having provision for 248 spaces for the coarser fabric. When the change of heads is made it becomes necessary to vary correspondingly the length of stroke of the feed actuating pawls 55. If the change is made from a 280 spacing head to a 248 spacing head the working stroke of the pawls must be increased. If the change is from a 248 to a 280 spacing head the working stroke of the pawls must be decreased. To effect this variation quickly, easily and without any special skill I form an elongated slot 69 in pawl operating lever 60. Transversely through this slot extends a fulcrum block 70, which has a sliding connection with the lever. This block is carried by an eccentric portion 71, see

Figs. 10 and 11, of a transversely extending shaft 72,suitably journaled at its ends in the side walls of the frame arm 17. This constitutes a movable fulcrum for the lever 60, which fulcrum divides the lever into two arms. On the ratio of the lengths of these two arms depends the amount of stroke that is to be given to feed actuating pawls 55. When the eccentric portion 71. is turned to a position to carry the fulcrum block 70 to the left as viewed in Fig. 10, the left-hand end of the lever 70 becomes shorter and the right 2 position to carry the fulcrum block towards the right the reverse of this action takes place. The eccentricity of the fulcrum block support is so calculated that its left-hand limit position corresponds to a 248 space head while its right-hand limit position corresponds to a 280 space head. Any desired intermediate position will take care of the corresponding spacing intermediate the limits stated. The shaft 72, may be rotatively adjusted to accomplish the variation in length of stroke of the feed actuating pawls, as above explained. This adjustment may be effected in many different ways. A simple arrangement is shown which can be readily manipulated by even the most unskilled operator, wherein a knob 73 is keyed to the pin orshaft 72 to slide thereon to a limited extent. This knob is permitted to slide axially of the pin or shaft 72 against the tension of a spring 74, and it carries a pin 75, adapted to snap into one or another of spaced holes 76. By simply pulling out the knob and turning it and the pin or shaft 72, so as to bring the pin 75 into register with the prop-er hole 76 the desired adjustment is effected.

To remove and replace a feed head unit the cover plate 77 is removed, and the end screws which hold the pin 66 in place are removed. The pin is then pushed out and the entire feed head unit drops out. The head to be substituted is then inserted in place, the pin 66 is restored and fastened and the cover plate applied. In order to facilitate the removal and replacement of heads it is desirable to remove the tension spring 64 from between the pawls 5 and 63. Thereupon these pawls swing out of the way by gravity. In replacing the spring 64, the pawls are arrested in their movement under the action of the spring by limit stops 79. If desired the spring 64, need not be removed at all as the stop pins 79 may be sufficient to prevent the pawls from interfering with the removal and replacement of the feed heads.

While I have shown and described a structure illustrating one embodiment of my inventionit is obvious that many changes in the details thereof may readily occur to persons skilled in the art and still fall within the spirit and scope of my invention. I do not desire, therefore, to be limited or stricted to the exact details shown and described.

But having now set forth the objects and lull nature ofniy inve ntion,-. and a structure embodyin g the principles thereof, what I cla1m as new and useful and ofmy own invention,- and desire tosecure by Letters Patent 1 s 1. In afabric repairing. apparatus, a re-v ciprocatory needle bar, an operating lever for. reciprocating said bar, said bar having a planed portionwit-h oppositely disposed reciprocating said bar, said bar having planed surfaces on the opposite sides there of, sai;d surfaces having seats formedtherein, the free end of said, lever being forked to straddle said bar, the forked ends of the lever carrying center plugs .to pivotallyengage in said scats, and means. to rock said lever.

3. Ina fabric repairing apparatus, a reciprocatory needle bar, an operating'lever for reciprocating said bar,.said bar having planed surfaces on opposite sides thereof, said planed surfaces having taperedseats formed therein, the free end of said lever bein forked-to straddle said bar, center plugs carried by. the fork ends of said lever, said plugs having pointed ends to be received in said seats to form pivotal connections between the lever. and bar, and means to rock said lever.

4. In a fabric repairing apparatus, a

needle barmounted to slide rectilinearly in alined bearings,,an operating lever pivotally connected at one end to said bar, a-niain drive shaft, an eccentriccarried thereby, a

' strap mounted on said eccentric and pivotally connected to the other end of said lever, and a movablefulcrum-block for said lever, said block having flanges slidably engaging said lever.

5. In a-fabric repairing apparatus, aneedle bar mounted to slide rectilinearly in aligned bearings, an operating. lever pivotally connected at one end to said bar,

a main drive shaft, an eccentric carried thereby, a strap mounted on said eccentric and-pivotally connected to the other=end of said lever, a fulcrum block upon which said lever rocks,. and means ,to permit relative sliding movement of the lever andfulcrum block during the operation of'the lever.

6. In v a fabric repairing apparatus, a needle bar mounted to slide rectilinearly, an

operating lever pivotally connected atone end to said lever, said bar having an elongated slot, a pivotally mounted fulcrum block, ar-

fulcrum block is mounted,,whereby 7. In :a fabric repairing apparatus, a

needle 'ba-r mounted to reciprocaterectilinearly, anoperating lever pivotally connected at onev end to said needle bar to reciprocate the-same, actuating; meansfor said lever to rock the same,- a pivotally mountedfulcrum block'for said lever, saidlever having an elongated slot extending longitudinally thereof, said-block engagingin said slot whereby said lever is permitted endwise movement while it is being rocked.

' 8. In a fabric repairing apparatus, a needle bar, an operatingieve'rconnected thereto, and means toactuate said lever, in combination with a movable eccentric arrangedto engage said lever to raise the needle bar beyond the limit ofits-operating movementwhen in use. I

9. In 1a fabric repairing apparatus, a needle. bar, ,an operating lever connected thereto, and means'toactuate. said lever, in combinationwitha rotatably adjustable stud shaft, and an eccentric thereon arranged to engage said lever, whereby said-lever may be raised to elevate the needle barbeyond the limitdof its operating movements.

10. In .a fabric repairin apparatus, a needle bar, an operating ever connected thereto, and-means to actuate said lever, in combination with a fulcrum block for said lever, and a rotatably adjustable stud shaft having an eccentric portion upon which said when said stud shaft is rotatably adjusted the needle barj-is-raisedbeyond itslimit of oper-' 'ating movement.

.111 In a fabric repairing apparatus, a needle bar, an operating lever connected thereto, and means to actuate said lever,in combination with a rotatablyadjustable stud shaft, and an eccentric thereon arranged toengage said lever, wherebysaidilever may be raised to elevate the needle bar beyond the limit of its operating movements, and an,

operating arm on said stud shaft to rotatablyadjust the latter. I

1-2. In .agfabric' repairing apparatus, and in combination with work feeding and; spacing mechanism, presser devices including a presserfoot-and a presser roll, a} single supporting bar forsaid footand roll,;s aid foot and. roll jhaving pivotal connections in intersecting directions withsaid support.

13.. :In a fabric repairing apparatus,,and in combination with work feeding and spacing mechanism, presser devicesincludinga presser footand a-presser roll, a singlesupportr ing bar yforsaid foot and roll, said presser foot having pivotal movements laterally and.

other movements at an angle with respect to'said support.

14. In a fabricrepairing apparatus, and in combination with'work feeding and spacing mechanism, a supporting bar, a block pivotallyeonnected tosaid bar,-a presser roll and a presser foot;h.avi;ng pivotal. com

nection with said block, the axes of said pivotal connections being in intersecting planes.

15. In a fabric repairing apparatus, and in combination with work feeding and spacing mechanism, a supporting bar, a block pivotally connected to said bar, a member pivot-ally connected to said block, said mem ber having a seat formed therein, a presser roll carried by said member and a presser foot pivotally mounted in said seat.

16. In a fabric repairing apparatus, and in combination with work feeding and spacing devices, a supporting bar mounted for longitudinal, but held against rotative movement, a presser roll and a presser foot carried by said bar and arranged to extend in opposite directions therefrom, a spring engaging said bar to yieldingly press said roll and foot to their work, and means to adjust the tension of said spring.

17. In a fabric repairing apparatus, and in combination with a needle and its operating mechanism, Work feeding and spacing devices, including a head unit assembly having spacing and feeding members, and an operating ratchet to rotatively actuate the same, the operating ratchet being disposed at the outer side of the feeding members.

18. In a fabric repairing apparatus, and

I in combination with a needle and its operating mechanism, work feeding and spacing devlces, mcluding a head unit assembly having spaclng and feedlng members, the spacing members being spaced apart from each other, and the feedmg members dlsposed outing mechanism, work feeding and spacing devices, including a head unit assembly having spacing and feeding members, the spac-- ing members being spaced apart from each other, and thefeeding members disposed outside the spacing members, a ratchet member disposed outside of the feeding members, all of said parts being secured together and rotatable as a unit.

20; In a fabric repairing apparatus, and

in combination with a needle and its operating mechanism, work feeding and spacing devices, including a head unit assembly hav ing spacing and feeding members, the spacing members being spaced apart from each other, and the feeding members disposed outside the spacing members, and ratchet members disposed outside of the feeding members in the. unit assembly.

21. In a fabric repairing apparatus, a Work feeding and spacing unit assembly including feeding, spacing and actuating rachet members the ratchet members each having one-half the number of teeth of the spacing members, and operating pawls cooperating with said ratchet teeth.

22. In a fabric repairing apparatus, a work feeding and spacing unit assembly including feeding, spacing and actuating ratchet members the ratchet members each having one-half the number of teeth of the spacing members, operating pawls cooperating with said ratchet teeth, said pa-wls acting alternately on said ratchets to rotatively move the same one-half a tooth space at each actuation thereof.

23. In a fabric repairing apparatus, a work feeding and spacing unit assembly i11- cluding feeding, spacing and actuating ratchet members the ratchet members each having one-half the number of teeth of the spacing members, operating pawls cooperating with said ratchet teeth, said ratchets being rotatively displaced a distance of one-half a tooth space with reference to each other.

24. In a fabric repairing apparatus, a work feeding and spacing unit assembly including feeding, spacing and actuating ratchet members the ratchet members each having onehalf the number of teeth of the spacing members, operating pawls cooperating with said ratchet teeth, said ratchets being rotatively displaced a distance of one-half a tooth space with reference to each other, said pawls acting alternately on said ratchets to rotatively move the same a distance of one-half a tooth space at each actuation thereof.

25. In a fabric repairing apparatus, a removable and replaceable work feeding and spacing unit assembly, including toothed spacing and toothed ratchet members, whereby one such unit may be replaced by another having a different number of spacing and ratchet teeth according to the mesh or weave of the work fabric, an actuating pawl for the ratchet member, and means to vary the stroke of the actuating pawl to correspond with the number of teeth of the ratchet member of the unit.

26. In a fabric repairing apparatus, a removable and replaceable Work feeding and spacing unit assembly including a toothed ratched member, in combination with an actuating pawl for said ratchet member, means tooperate said pawl, and means to vary the stroke of said operating means to correspond with the number of teeth of the ratchet member.

27. In a fabric repairing apparatus, a removable and replaceable work feeding and spacing unit assembly including a toothed ratchet member, in combination with an actuating pawl for said ratchet member, a rocking support for said pawl, a lever to rock said support, and means to adjustably vary the leverage of said lever.

28. In a fabric repairing apparatus, aremovable and replaceable work feeding and spacing unit assembly including a toothed ratchet member, in combination with an ac tuating paWlfor said ratchet member. a pivoted lever to operate said pawl, and means to adjust the fulcrum of said lever to vary the working stroke of the pawl. i

29. In a fabricrepairing apparatus, a removable and replaceable work feedingand' spacing unit assembly including" a toothed ratchet member, in combination with an actuating pawl for said ratchet member, a lever to operate said pawl, a rotatably adjustable pivot stud for saidleve'r, said stud having an eccentric portion to constitute the fulcrum for said lever, whereby, by rotatably adjusting said stud the fulcrum of the lever is shifted to vary the working stroke of the pawl. g

30. In a fabric repairing apparatus, a removable and replaceable work feeding and spacing unit assembly including a toothed ratchet member, in combination with an actuating pawl for said ratchet member, a pivoted lever to operate said pawl, a movable fulcrum for said lever, and means to ad just said fulcrum.

31. In a fabric repairing apparatus,,a removable and replaceable work feeding and spacing unit assembly including a. toothed ratchet member, in combination with. an actuating pawl for said ratchet member, a

lever to operate said pawl, said lever having a longitudinal slot therein, a movablefulcrum member engaging in said slot, and

combination with a needle and needle bar,

and means to operate said bar, of fabric feeding and spacing devices, and actuating mechanism therefor, including a drive shaft, a disk driven'by said shaft and provided with a cam groove, and an arm held against oscillatory movement; and having engagement in said cam groove whereby said arm is rectilinearly reciprocated.

37; In a fabric repairing apparatus, and in combination with aneedle and needle bar, means to operate said bar, of fabric feeding andspacing devices, and actuating mechanism therefor, including ratchet pawls, a rock lever for operating said pawls, an arm pivotally connected to said lever and mounted to reciprocate but held against ocillatory movement, a rotatably mounted disk having a camin the face thereof, and a stud carried by said arm and arranged to engage said cam. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand on thisllth day of February A. D.

" ADoLPH- L. DE LEEUW. 7

means to adjust the fulcrum member to vary the working stroke of said lever. V

32. In a fabric repairing apparatus, a

work feeding and spacing unit assembly in:

, eluding, a ratchet member, in combinationwithan actuating pawl and a holding pawl for said ratchet member, and means for actuating the same, and a spring'interposed bec tween said pawls, and arranged to exert its tension upon both pawls to hold them in engagement with said ratchet member.

33. In a fabric repairing apparatus, a,

work feeding and spacing unit assembly ineluding a ratchet member, in combination with an actuating pawl and a'holding pawl for said ratchet member, means for actuating the same, a spring interposed between said pawls, and arranged to exert its tension upon both pawls to hold them in engagement with said ratchet member, and stops to limit the extent of movement of said action of said spring. V

34. In a fabric repairingapparatus, a work feeding and spacing unit assembly including a ratchet member, in combination with an actuating pawl and a holding pawl for said ratchet member, a rock member upon which said pawls are pivotally mounted, a limit d stop on said rock member for each of said pawls, a spring arranged to act on-both pawls pawls under the Q to press them towards their limit stops, and I means to rock said rock member.

35. In a fabric repairing apparatus, a reeiprocatory needle bar having a seat formed 

